NYSE:MRKMerck & Co., Inc. Competitors & Alternatives

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.

Johnson & Johnson presently has a consensus target price of $163.8571, indicating a potential upside of 15.09%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus target price of $94.1538, indicating a potential upside of 22.71%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Johnson & Johnson.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

68.4% of Johnson & Johnson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Johnson & Johnson shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk & Volatility

Johnson & Johnson has a beta of 0.69, meaning that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.48, meaning that its stock price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Johnson & Johnson pays an annual dividend of $4.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Johnson & Johnson pays out 46.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 47.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Johnson & Johnson has raised its dividend for 57 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 8 consecutive years.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co., Inc.'s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Johnson & Johnson has higher revenue and earnings than Merck & Co., Inc.. Merck & Co., Inc. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Johnson & Johnson, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

Johnson & Johnson beats Merck & Co., Inc. on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, risk and profitability.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Pfizer and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Pfizer presently has a consensus target price of $38.6083, indicating a potential upside of 14.12%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus target price of $94.1538, indicating a potential upside of 22.71%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Pfizer.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

70.2% of Pfizer shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Pfizer shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Risk & Volatility

Pfizer has a beta of 0.68, indicating that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.48, indicating that its stock price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Pfizer and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Dividends

Pfizer pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Pfizer pays out 51.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 47.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Pfizer has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 8 consecutive years. Pfizer is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Pfizer and Merck & Co., Inc.'s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Pfizer has higher revenue and earnings than Merck & Co., Inc.. Pfizer is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Merck & Co., Inc., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Pfizer on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:LLY) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation and dividends.

Risk and Volatility

Eli Lilly And Co has a beta of 0.26, suggesting that its share price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.48, suggesting that its share price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Eli Lilly And Co and Merck & Co., Inc., as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Eli Lilly And Co presently has a consensus price target of $169.7273, suggesting a potential upside of 3.90%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $94.1538, suggesting a potential upside of 22.71%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Eli Lilly And Co.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Eli Lilly And Co and Merck & Co., Inc.'s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than Eli Lilly And Co. Merck & Co., Inc. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Eli Lilly And Co, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

77.3% of Eli Lilly And Co shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Eli Lilly And Co shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Eli Lilly And Co pays an annual dividend of $2.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Eli Lilly And Co pays out 49.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 47.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Eli Lilly And Co has increased its dividend for 5 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has increased its dividend for 8 consecutive years. Merck & Co., Inc. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Profitability

This table compares Eli Lilly And Co and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Eli Lilly And Co on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, risk, earnings and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares AbbVie and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Dividends

AbbVie pays an annual dividend of $4.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.9%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. AbbVie pays out 52.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 47.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. AbbVie has increased its dividend for 47 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has increased its dividend for 8 consecutive years. AbbVie is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for AbbVie and Merck & Co., Inc., as reported by MarketBeat.com.

AbbVie currently has a consensus price target of $106.80, suggesting a potential upside of 10.30%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $94.1538, suggesting a potential upside of 22.71%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than AbbVie.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares AbbVie and Merck & Co., Inc.'s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than AbbVie. AbbVie is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Merck & Co., Inc., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility and Risk

AbbVie has a beta of 0.86, meaning that its share price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.48, meaning that its share price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

72.4% of AbbVie shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of AbbVie shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats AbbVie on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation and earnings.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

74.2% of Bristol-Myers Squibb shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Bristol-Myers Squibb shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Volatility & Risk

Bristol-Myers Squibb has a beta of 0.73, suggesting that its share price is 27% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.48, suggesting that its share price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc.'s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bristol-Myers Squibb is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Merck & Co., Inc., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc., as reported by MarketBeat.

Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has a consensus price target of $68.1667, suggesting a potential upside of 18.70%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $94.1538, suggesting a potential upside of 22.71%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Dividends

Bristol-Myers Squibb pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Bristol-Myers Squibb pays out 38.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 47.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Bristol-Myers Squibb has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 8 consecutive years.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Bristol-Myers Squibb on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, earnings, risk and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Zoetis and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Zoetis and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.

Zoetis presently has a consensus target price of $142.3846, suggesting a potential upside of 3.85%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus target price of $94.1538, suggesting a potential upside of 22.71%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Zoetis.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Zoetis and Merck & Co., Inc.'s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than Zoetis. Merck & Co., Inc. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Zoetis, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Zoetis pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Zoetis pays out 22.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 47.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Zoetis has raised its dividend for 6 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 8 consecutive years. Merck & Co., Inc. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Risk and Volatility

Zoetis has a beta of 0.77, suggesting that its stock price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.48, suggesting that its stock price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

91.4% of Zoetis shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Zoetis shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Zoetis on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.